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Abstract:

A barrier element for forming a component of a floor covering of a floor
in a data center includes a substantially laminar part, the laminar part
having a cross member attached to one surface. The cross member mounts a
plurality of filaments which can form a layer impervious to air flow.

Claims:

1. A barrier element suitable for forming a component of a floor covering
of a floor in a data center, the barrier element comprising: a
substantially laminar part, the laminar part having a surface, the
surface comprising a cross member; and the cross member further
comprising a plurality of filaments mounted on the cross member.

2. The barrier element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross member
has a length dimension substantially larger than either a width dimension
of the cross member or a depth dimension of the cross member, wherein the
cross member is attached to the surface of the barrier element so that
the length dimension occupies substantially a whole of a distance between
a first edge of the surface of the barrier element and a second edge of
the surface of the barrier element opposite the first edge, and wherein
the width dimension is approximately equidistant between a third edge of
the surface of the barrier element and a fourth edge of the surface of
the barrier element opposite the third edge.

4. The barrier element as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of filaments is held firmly but not fixedly in a hole in the
cross member so that the filament may be pushed through the cross member,
wherein the hole passes through a full width of the cross member for
holding via a push fit the at least one of the plurality of filaments.

5. The barrier element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filaments
comprise a flexible filament.

6. The barrier element as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the
plurality of filaments has a length approximately the same as a distance
between the cross member and the third edge.

7. The barrier element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
filaments form a layer substantially impervious to air flow.

8. The barrier element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the
laminar part may be removed, and wherein the removed portion of the
laminar part comprises a cut-out or cut-away portion.

9. The barrier element as claimed in claim 8, wherein an item is
positioned to pass through the barrier element by way of the removed
portion.

10. The barrier element as claimed in claim 9, wherein a plurality of the
filaments are pushed through the cross member to at least abut the item
passing through the removed portion so as to render the removed portion
substantially impervious to air flow.

11. A method for covering a framework suitable for forming a floor in a
data center, the method comprising: covering the framework with a barrier
element, the barrier element comprising: a substantially laminar part,
the laminar part having a surface; and a cross member on the surface; and
providing the cross member with a plurality of filaments mounted on the
cross member.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cross member has a
length dimension substantially larger than either a width dimension of
the cross member or a depth dimension of the cross member, the method
further comprising attaching the cross member to the surface of the
barrier element so that the length dimension occupies substantially a
whole of a distance between a first edge of the surface of the barrier
element and a second edge of the surface of the barrier element opposite
the first edge, and wherein the width dimension is approximately
equidistant between a third edge of the surface of the barrier element
and a fourth edge of the surface of the barrier element opposite the
third edge,

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising holding at
least one of the plurality of filaments firmly but not fixedly in a hole
in the cross member so that the filament may be pushed through the cross
member, wherein the hole passes through a full width of the cross member
for holding via a push fit the at least one of the plurality of
filaments.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of the
filaments is a flexible filament.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the
plurality of filaments has a length approximately the same as a distance
between the cross member and the third edge.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of filaments
form a layer substantially impervious to air flow.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising removing a
portion of the laminar part, wherein the removed portion of the laminar
part comprises a cut-out or cut-away portion.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising positioning an
item to pass through the barrier element by way of the removed portion.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising pushing a
plurality of filaments through the cross member to at least abut the item
passing through the removed portion so as to render the removed portion
substantially impervious to air flow.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of data center flooring.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in
air flow in relation to data center flooring.

RELATED ART

[0003] The growth of computer networking, and particularly the rapid
growth of the use of the Internet, has resulted in a rapid increase in
demand for server computers. Most commonly a number of modular server
units, for example the modular computing units known as "blade" servers,
are removably mounted in equipment racks. Typically, a large number of
such racks are housed in a building known as a data center. In a data
center, one or more large rooms are provided. Each room houses rows of
equipment racks and their mounted servers, and associated cabling and
network communication equipment.

[0004] A modern rack when fully loaded with blade servers consumes a large
amount of electrical power when operating. In consequence, a large amount
of waste heat is produced. Many data centers now employ individual racks
of blade servers in which each rack develops 20 kW or more of waste heat.
To avoid damage to the servers by overheating, this waste heat must be
removed.

[0005] In a commonly used arrangement, data center rooms are cooled by
computer room air conditioning units (termed CRACs) which circulate
cooled air which passes through the rack units for heat removal.
Typically, a data center room comprises a raised floor above a plenum
chamber through which cooled air is blown by CRAC units. Rows of server
racks are mounted on the floor separated by aisles. Networks of grilles
in the floors of the aisles between rows of server racks allow cooled air
from the plenum to rise into the aisles. From here it is typically drawn
through the front of the racks by fans mounted in the racks. Heated air
passes out of the other side of the rack and is drawn up into a roof
plenum chamber for removal or recirculation through the CRAC units. In a
commonly used arrangement, an aisle comprises two rows of server racks
whose fronts face each other with the floor of the aisle space between
comprising a number of grilles through which cooled air rises. This is
termed a cold aisle. Behind each row of racks is a hot aisle to which
heated air passes after flowing through the racks and then rises for
removal by way of the roof plenum chamber.

[0006] In such an arrangement, it is important that the raised floor be
impervious to air flow except at the grilles which allow cool air to flow
from the sub-floor plenum into the cold aisles. The large number of
server computer units in the typical data center described above requires
a large amount of electrical power supply cabling and network cabling,
and sometimes other service conduits to provide additional water cooling,
for example. Much of this service provision, such as cabling, is routed
below the raised floor of the data center through the sub-floor plenum
chamber. This necessitates the piercing of the raised floor. To maintain
as far as possible the impervious nature of the raised floor to air flow,
some form of sealing is required around the cabling or other conduit at
the point where it passes through the raised floor to prevent air leakage
here. The conventional solution to this problem is to provide a grommet
closure device through which the cabling or other conduit passes. A hole
of the required size is cut in one of the floor tiles which make up the
raised floor covering, a grommet inserted, and cabling or conduit passed
through the grommet.

[0007] Typically, the grommet opening is rectangular and sealed by
multiple flexible elements akin to brush bristles protruding from two
opposite sides of the opening to meet along the center line of the
opening. Cabling is passed through the bristles which are deflected by
the cabling and spring back to substantially fill the remaining space and
so minimize air passage through the bristles.

[0008] United States published patent application no. US 2003/0079897
comprises a floor grommet for use in building and office structures
supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of
conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the
plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings
provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor
grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding
frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements
which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the
center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening
against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables
passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the
flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the
resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature. The grommet
arrangements of the prior art impose restrictions on the user as the
grommets are generally available only in a limited range of sizes and
shapes. It is sometimes necessary when rearranging the rack positions and
cabling or other service conduits in a data center to provide new holes
in the raised floor. It would be desirable to provide a solution to the
lack of flexibility in available hole sealing arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Viewed from a first aspect, the invention provides a barrier
element suitable for forming a component of a floor covering of a floor
in a data center. The barrier element comprises a substantially laminar
part, the laminar part comprising a surface, the surface further
comprising a cross member. The cross member further comprises a plurality
of filaments mounted on the cross member.

[0010] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the cross member has a length dimension substantially larger
than either a width dimension or a depth dimension, the cross member
being attached to the surface of the barrier element so that the length
dimension occupies substantially the whole of a distance between a first
edge of the surface of the barrier element and a second edge opposite the
first edge. The width dimension is approximately equidistant between a
third edge of the surface of the element and a fourth edge opposite the
third edge.

[0011] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
which is a floor covering element.

[0012] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
which is a floor tile.

[0013] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which one of the plurality of filaments is mounted firmly but not
fixedly by holding in the cross member so that the filament may be pushed
through the cross member.

[0014] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the holding comprises a push fit in a hole through the full
width of the cross member.

[0015] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the hole is through an elastomeric material in the cross member.

[0016] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which one of the filaments is a flexible filament.

[0017] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which one of the filaments has a length approximately the same as the
distance between the cross member and the third edge.

[0018] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the plurality of filaments form a layer substantially impervious
to air flow.

[0019] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which a portion of the laminar part may be removed.

[0020] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the removed portion of the laminar part comprises a cut-out or
cut-away portion.

[0021] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which an item is positioned to pass through the barrier element by way
of the removed portion.

[0022] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the item comprises a service conduit.

[0023] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which the service conduit comprises an electrical cable.

[0024] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a barrier element
in which a plurality of filaments is pushed through the cross member to
at least abut the item passing through the removed portion so as to
render the removed portion substantially impervious to air flow.

[0025] Viewed from a second aspect, the invention provides a method for
covering a framework suitable for forming a floor in a data center. The
method comprises providing a barrier element for covering the framework,
the barrier element comprising a substantially laminar part, the laminar
part comprising a surface, and providing a cross member on the surface.
The method further provides the cross member with a plurality of
filaments mounted on the cross member.

[0026] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the cross member has a length dimension substantially larger than either
a width dimension or a depth dimension. The method further involves
attaching the cross member to the surface of the barrier element so that
the length dimension occupies substantially the whole of a distance
between a first edge of the surface of the barrier element and a second
edge opposite the first edge, and in which the width dimension is
approximately equidistant between a third edge of the surface of the
element and a fourth edge opposite the third edge,

[0027] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the barrier element comprises a floor covering element.

[0028] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the floor covering element comprises a floor tile.

[0029] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method further
comprising mounting one of the plurality of filaments firmly but not
fixedly by holding in the cross member so that the filament may be pushed
through the cross member.

[0030] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the holding comprises push fitting in a hole through the full width of
the cross member.

[0031] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the hole is through an elastomeric material in the cross member.

[0032] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
one of the filaments is a flexible filament.

[0033] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
one of the filaments has a length approximately the same as the distance
between the cross member and the third edge.

[0034] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the plurality of filaments form a layer substantially impervious to air
flow.

[0035] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method further
comprising removing a portion of the laminar part.

[0036] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the step of removing further comprises cutting through the laminar part
to form a cut-out or cut-away portion.

[0037] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method further
comprising positioning an item to pass through the barrier element by way
of the removed portion.

[0038] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the item comprises a service conduit.

[0039] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method in which
the service conduit comprises an electrical cable.

[0040] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method further
comprising pushing a plurality of filaments through the cross member to
at least abut the item passing through the removed portion so as to
render the removed portion substantially impervious to air flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way
of example only with reference to the following drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a prior art data center in which
embodiments of the invention may be employed.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of an equipment rack and aisles as
illustrated in the data center of FIG. 1 in which embodiments of the
invention may be employed.

[0044] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a tile according to embodiments of
the invention.

[0045] FIG. 3b is a plan view of the underside of a tile according to
embodiments of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 3c is an edge on view of a tile according to embodiments of
the invention.

[0047] FIGS. 4a and 4b are plan views of the underside of a tile
illustrating aspects of the operation of embodiments of the invention.

[0048] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views illustrating aspects of the
operation of embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] FIGS. 6a and 6b are plan views of the underside of a tile
illustrating the operation of embodiments of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 6c is a plan view of the underside of a tile illustrating the
operation of embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 6d is a plan view from above of the tile illustrated in FIG.
6c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a data center room 100
suitable for incorporating embodiments of the present invention. A
conditioning unit, for example, a computer room air conditioning unit
(CRAC) 110 comprises chiller and blower components for, respectively,
chilling and impelling fluid for circulating in the data center room. The
circulating fluid functions for removal of heat generated by equipment
operating in data center room 100. In embodiments, the circulating fluid
is a gaseous fluid, and the fluid is the ambient air of data center room
100. In embodiments, CRAC 110 blows chilled air through grille 115a into
a sub-floor plenum chamber 120. The sub-floor plenum chamber 120 extends
over substantially the whole floor area of data center room 100. The
floor 122 is suitably supported above the sub-floor plenum chamber 120 to
carry rows of equipment racks such as 140a and 140b as illustrated. The
equipment racks 140a, 140b each comprise a rack framework suitable for
mounting modular data processing units, for example server computing
units such as blade servers.

[0053] Air flows through the sub-floor plenum chamber 120 as shown by
arrow 125. Air flows from the sub-floor plenum chamber 120 up through
grilles 115b, 115c into a cold aisle 150a. From here air is drawn through
the front of the racks 140a, 140b by air movers, such as fans, mounted
within the racks 140a, 140b. Air flow 145a, 145b is shown entering the
front of the rack 140a and air flow 145c, 145d entering the front of the
rack 140b. Air exits 155a, 155b from the rear of the rack 140a into a hot
aisle 150b. Similarly, air exits 155c, 155d from the rear of the rack
140b into a hot aisle 150c. Air is then drawn upwards from the hot aisle
150b through a grille 115d in the roof 132 into roof a plenum chamber
130. Similarly, air is drawn upwards from the hot aisle 150c through a
grille 115e in the roof 132 into the roof plenum chamber 130. The roof
plenum chamber 130 extends over substantially the whole roof area of data
center room 100. Air flows 135 through the roof plenum chamber 130 and
re-enters the CRAC 110 by way of a grille 115f.

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates the rack 140a as shown in FIG. 1. In the cold
aisle 150a, air flow 145a, 145b is shown rising from the grille 115c in
the raised floor 122 and entering the front of the rack 140a. In the hot
aisle 150b, air flow 155a, 155b is shown exiting the rear of the rack
140a. Power and/or networking cabling 210 is shown passing from the rear
of the rack 140a, through a grommet 220 as known in the prior art, and
into the plenum chamber 120 below the raised floor 122. Typically, the
raised floor 122 comprises a framework of metal or other structural
material on to which are laid floor covering elements. The floor covering
elements may themselves be structural or, where allowed by the raised
floor framework, they may comprise barrier elements such as floor tiles
which serve to maintain the impervious nature of the raised floor. In
areas where passage of cabling is allowed by the skeletal nature of the
supporting framework of the raised floor 122, covering floor tiles may be
cut to allow the insertion of a grommet 220.

[0055] It will be apparent that although the invention is described with
reference to embodiments in a floor structure of a data center, other
embodiments may apply to other environments in which it is desirable to
keep the fluid contents of two volumes from admixing. In some embodiments
the framework may comprise a wall structure for example, and the barrier
elements will then form components of a wall covering.

[0056] FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of a barrier element
according to embodiments of the present invention in which the barrier
element is a component of a floor covering for a raised floor 122 in a
data center 100. As shown, the barrier element comprises a floor tile
300. The floor tile 300 has a top surface 310 and a bottom surface 320. A
cross member 330 is attached to the bottom surface 320 of the tile 300.
FIG. 3b illustrates a plan view of the bottom surface 320 of the tile
300. The cross member 330 is attached approximately equidistant from
opposite edges 350a and 350b and extends over substantially the whole of
the width of the bottom surface 320 between opposite edges 350c and 350d.
In embodiments, the cross member 330 does not extend over the full width
of the bottom surface 320 but terminates a short distance from each of
the edges 350c and 350d, relative to the full width of the bottom surface
320. The floor tile 300 may be used in like manner to a conventional
floor tile of the prior art laid over structural framework of the raised
floor 122 of FIG. 2.

[0057] In embodiments, the cross member 330 also comprises a plurality of
thin elements, for example, flexible elements or filaments 340 akin to
brush bristles as shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b. As shown in FIG. 3b, the
flexible filaments 340 may occupy most of the width of the tile 300
between the tile edges 350c and 350d, and extend for most of the distance
between the cross member 330 and the tile edge 350a. FIG. 3c shows an
edge on view of the tile 300, with the top surface 310, the bottom
surface 320, the cross member 330 and the flexible filaments 340 forming
a layer of thickness A. Although shown for clarity in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c
as individual filaments spaced apart from each other, the flexible
filaments 340 are so arranged and spaced as to form a layer of thickness
A in FIG. 3c so that the layer is essentially impervious to air flow.

[0058] As depicted in FIG. 4a, in embodiments, the underside 320 of the
tile 300 comprises a cross member 330 and flexible filaments 340. The
flexible filaments 340 are mounted at a proximal end in the cross member
330, allowing the distal end of each flexible filament 340 to move from
side to side and up and down. The proximal end of each flexible filament
340 is mounted firmly but not fixedly by inserting in the cross member
330 in such a way as to allow each flexible filament to be pushed through
the cross member 330 but not allow filament lateral movement within the
cross member 330. In embodiments, the mounting is a push fit in a
cylindrical hole through the cross member 330. In embodiments, the
cylindrical hole is through an elastomeric material in the cross member
330. As illustrated in FIG. 4b, flexible filaments 340b have been pushed
through cross member 330 whilst flexible filaments 340a have not.

[0059] As depicted in FIG. 5a, in embodiments, the tile 300 comprises a
top surface 310 and a bottom surface 320. The cross member 330 comprises
flexible filaments 340 as previously described. Also illustrated is
section 510 of the tile 300. The section 510 may be of any convenient
size or shape and is cut away using a knife or similar implement and
removed. FIG. 5b shows the tile 300 of FIG. 5a in operation. The tile
portion 510 has been removed and power and/or network cabling 520 has
been passed through the resulting hole. The flexible filaments 340 have
been pushed through the cross member 330 to abut the cabling 520. It will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the filaments 340 may be
pushed further so as to be bent out of shape by pressure of the cabling
520 so as to potentially enhance the sealing effect. Also shown is an
adjacent tile 550, but it will be apparent that the tile 300 may be used
in other arrangements, for example against a wall or the rear surface of
an equipment rack.

[0060] FIG. 6a illustrates a plan view of the underside 320 of the tile
300 of FIG. 5a according to embodiments of the present invention. The
flexible filaments 340 are illustrated all on one side of the cross
member 330. Also illustrated is the section 510 delimited by a dotted
line and which is removed using a knife or similar implement. FIG. 6b
illustrates the underside 320 of the tile 300 after removal of the
section 510. A portion 340e of the flexible filaments 340 have been
pushed through the cross member 330 to cover the missing section 510 and
render this section effectively impervious to air flow when the tile 300
is placed on a suitable floor support framework. The portions 340c and
340d of the flexible filaments 340 remain in their starting position.

[0061] FIG. 6c illustrates a plan view of the underside of tile 300 in
operation according to embodiments of the present invention. A cross
section of the cabling 520 is illustrated passing through the cut away
section 510 of tile 300. The flexible filaments in the regions 340c and
340d remain as before. In the region 340e, some of the flexible filaments
340f have been pushed through the cross member 330 only so far as to abut
the cabling 520. The remaining flexible filaments in the region 340e are
pushed fully through the cross member 330 as in FIG. 6b. In operation,
this configuration ensures that parts of the cut away section 510 not
occupied by the cabling 520 are occupied by the flexible filaments 340
and so rendering the section 510 effectively impervious to air flow.

[0062] FIG. 6d illustrates a plan view of the top side 310 of the tile 300
depicted in FIG. 6c. The cross section of the cabling 520 is illustrated
passing through the cut away section 510 in the tile 300. As in FIG. 6c,
in the region 340e, some of the flexible filaments 340f have been pushed
through the cross member 330 only so far as to abut the cabling 520. As
in FIG. 6c, the remaining flexible filaments in the region 340e are
pushed fully through the cross member 330, so that the cut away section
510 is rendered effectively impervious to air flow. An adjacent tile 550
is illustrated, but as before it will be apparent that the tile 300 may
be used in other arrangements, for example against a wall or the rear
surface of an equipment rack.

[0063] It will be appreciated that although embodiments of the invention
have been described in relation to use as floor coverings in a raised
floor data center, other arrangements are possible without departing from
the invention and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Patent applications by Emmanuel Tong-Viet, Montpellier FR

Patent applications by Jean-Michel Rodriquez, Montpellier FR

Patent applications by International Business Machines Corporation

Patent applications in class WALL, CEILING, FLOOR, OR ROOF DESIGNED FOR VENTILATION OR DRAINAGE

Patent applications in all subclasses WALL, CEILING, FLOOR, OR ROOF DESIGNED FOR VENTILATION OR DRAINAGE